The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-24
The Colored Vote.

The Colored Vote.
We last week noticed an article which
gently appeared in the Richmond State
in reference to the col0red vote. 1t
is prevailing impression with some peo-
pie that the colored vote is an exceedingly
maleable quantity, to be worked and |
shaped like lump of putty, at the will OF |
others. In this there is an egregious er-
ror. II is true, the great mass of the COL
ored people are in sympathy with the Re
publican party, and wherever they are at
lii erty to cast a ballot and have it counted,
it is given to the Republican candidates.
This is not strange. The old voters have
a VIVID ard lasting remembrance OF the
history of the Democrotic party, both be-
fore and since the war, as it relates to the
coIored people They krow, and the
Younger ones are impressed by traction,
that it was because slavery was excluded
from Kansas. under the home rule" pol
icy, now SO vigorously supported by that
psrty-the first alleged tangible excuse
for attempted secession occurred. They
know that the war was waged to perpetu-
ate chattel slavery, and that if the South
had succeeded, tie corner stone of the
slavery. They know the restrictive legis-
alton which has been enacted by Demo
cratic State Legislatures affecting their
rights, and they also know that it has been
to the Republican party that they have
had to lock for defence of the privileges
and immunities granted to them by fun
damental and statutory law. For these rea-
sons they bave given their support to that
party, as every other race or body OF men
would have done under like circumstances
and conditions. Had there been full
recognition Of the intendment of the con-
stitutional amendments and the Legislation
to enforce them-a generous purpose t(
live squarely up to their spirit and pur-
pose, manifested on the part OF the Dem
ccrats, it is more than likely the celored
vote would have been measurablv divided
hsfoi this. That it has been solid for The
Republicans is neither matter Of sur
prise nor disappointment to the intelligent
citizens of the State. Its s0lldity was 6
natural result from existing causes, an(
SO long as the causes continue the condI-
ton will be perpet uated. 1t was para
mount consideration with them to vote
with the party that showed disposition
to respect the rights the law gave them
and all other question were held sUbordi
no ;.lar, rIaa11 NO chr of
sincere purpose on the part of the Dem
ocrats to act as literally with them, as
respects their political relations, as tn
Republicans have acted, then it is not IN
reasonable to suppose that there will b
division of lheirvote on the lesser question
of administration. The interests Of til
two races are interviewer. They came
be separated. The material welfare OF th
South is identified with their barmoniou
Cooperation. and this IS recognized by a
Intelligent citizens, and it is more tina
possible that sbo0ld The fact be practical
demonstrated that the Democrats mean
deal fairly with them. that numbers c
them will vote with that party. But tn
wiz net be the case, Until there is SON
tangible evidence Of change Of. part
policy and the methods which have heret
fore been employed to restrict suffrage
to DEFY it by insidi0us devices aud CORFU
practices.
But let it not be supposed that comb
nations CT men, whether few or many, ca
control the colored vote at viii. It is cas-
enough TO discipline it when the purpos
is 10 promote the party interests vii
whlun the colored vote IS identified. 81
when the attempt is made to manipula
it for personal ends-to direct it blind
and mass 1t for interests with which thu
feel no deep concern. it vii! prove fai
ure. as it should. They are not prepare
to jump from one slavery into anothe
and deny their own manhood by foiloWlr
the lead Of any enc. without KNOWN
where it is to land them. The colored pc
pie are growing in intelligence and in sell
respect, and with an increasing appreciate
of the Importance and dignity Of the ba
lot. The great majority Of them canne
be debauched into its fragrant abuse an
the use Of its power to subserye the enc
of schemers and time servers. And he
no true friend Of The oolored man WI
would seek to pervert his vote to effet
ends inconsistent with the welfare of con
munity, or would essay to niislead ii
more ignorant of the lace into an abuse
the privilege Of the elective franchise.
We trust that more enlightened polit
is to he observed in the future with refe
ence to the colored vote and that DEM
Gratis viii unite with Republicans in Il
duty of trying to direct the ballot to e
press the freeman's will. and record tt
honest convictions OF the person WI
deposits it, When or Democratic frient
shall fully prove that such is their purpos
til it will not he out Of place to appe
to tlie coiored man to fairly consider oths
questions. and divide upcn issues and pc
= icies of adm Illustration, just as the viii
people Go. 1t will be propitio.s cond
tion for Virginia and the South when sue
Shall be the case. when we shall hear I
more about the ''nigger" party ard meg
rule'' and like miserable rot that has COZ
stituted The stock III trade of the Dem
cratic party in the South for the Pa
twenty years.